Medieval moated manor houses and Gothic towers in classic Kent Weald country
Details
Join us for a wander through the classic countryside of the Kent Weald with its rolling fields, quiet meadows, varied woodland and small villages.
We’ll walk part of the Greensand Way, a long-distance trail celebrated for its fine views and varied Kentish landscape before passing through the quiet hamlet of Shipbourne and crossing the River Bourne.
We’ll pause for lunch at Ightham Mote, one of England’s best-preserved medieval moated manor houses, and in the afternoon wonder at Hadlow Tower, a multi-tiered Gothic folly even taller than Nelson’s Column.
The rest of the route will take us along quiet lanes and across farm fields to the River Medway, finishing with an easy stretch beside the water, before finding our own watering hole to toast the day.
*NB* There is an option to skip the last two hours and take a bus, if you are feeling too tired or too wet!
SUMMARY (all info is approximate!)
Distance: 24km/15 miles linear route
Duration: 6 hours walking
Ascent: 250 metres
Grade: Intermediate, along good paths with a short ascent in the morning
COST AND LOGISTICS
Cost: £12
Start: 10.25am Hildenborough Station
Finish: 5.30pm Tonbridge Station / Ye Ole Chequers Inn
Recommended morning train from London
09:54 Dep: London Bridge
10:25 Arr: Hildenborough
Recommended train ticket
Super Off-Peak Day Return to Tonbridge (not Hildenborough)
REVIEWS
Trip Advisor | Facebook | MeetUp
PRICE INCLUDES
- Guided hike planned and led by an experienced AAA leader, trained in Outdoor First Aid.
PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE
- Travel costs
- Lunch, drinks or any refreshments
- PayPal fees
RECOMMENDED KIT LIST (complete list)
- Suitable hiking shoes or boots
- Packed lunch and snacks
- Water - 2 litres recommended
- Waterproof jacket and trousers (Please no jeans!)
- Warm windproof layer e.g. Down/Primaloft/Fleece
- Wicking base layer e.g. Polyester/Tencel/Merino
CANCELLING/REFUNDS
If you can no longer join the hike, please message the Host listed on here, and update your RSVP status to 'Not going', to allow others to take your place. If the hike is full, and you have messaged us and have changed your RSVP to 'Not going', we will refund you, less the PayPal/Meetup fees. To obtain this, please email info@aaalondongroup.com after the event, with the email address you use on your PayPal account and transaction reference. If the hike is not full, unfortunately we will not be able to provide any refund.
QUESTIONS
If you have any other questions, please check visit our FAQ page. If you are still unsure, contact the event Host shown on this page.
We’ve run over 1,000 trips in the last 18 years, so you’re in good hands. That said, all participants (members and their guests) in any AAA Hiking event or activity are personally responsible for their fitness, safety and welfare, and must be equipped accordingly. If you have signed up for the event, you acknowledge and accept the AAA London Group Terms and Conditions.
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